Quarterfinals Commence in CONCACAF Champions League - This Week in MLS

In the first week of the 2013 MLS season, 42 players made their MLS debuts. A number of talented off-season acquisitions played particularly well, scoring quality goals and logging solid defensive performances.

In the first match of the weekend, Claudio Bieler provided a taste of why Sporting Kansas City made him their fourth Designated Player in club history. His headed pass helped set up Graham Zusi's tally in the first half. In the waning minutes of the match, Bieler sealed the victory with a composed finish from 18 yards out.

On the defensive side of the ball, Columbus signing, GlÃ¡uber, had a solid match alongside Chad Marshall. The Brazilian centerback blocked two shots, intercepted three passes and completed 79% of his passes, according to Opta Sports.

Rounding out the weekend was a stellar performance from Portland designated player, Diego Valeri . Despite his nifty first-half goal, the Timbers trailed New York Red Bulls 3-1 at the break. The Argentine playmaker orchestrated a relentless second half comeback but Portland was unable to find the go-ahead goal and settled for a 3-3 draw.

This weekend, New England Revolution fans will likely get their first glimpse of #1 overall SuperDraft pick, Andrew Farrell, when the Revolution travel to Chicago to play the first match of their 2013 season on NBC Sports Network at 7:30 p.m. EST.

Quarterfinals Commence in CONCACAF Champions League

The journey continues this week for three MLS teams that will fight to advance in the CONCACAF Champions League.

Houston, Los Angeles, and Seattle each prepare the first leg of the quarterfinal stage of the CONCACAF Champions League.

The quarterfinals consist of two-game, home-and-home series. While Houston and LA being this stage of the competition at their home venues, Seattle must travel to Mexico to take on the current Clausura leader, Tigres.

Tuesday, March 5 (8 p.m. ET, FOX SOCCER)

Tonight, the Houston Dynamo host former-MLS and current U.S. Men's National Team forward Hercules Gomez and his Mexican squad Santos Laguna.

Houston has yet to lose a match at BBVA Compass Stadium and hope that streak continues tonight. Last year, los Guerreros of Santos Laguna made it to the final but fell short to two-time defending champion Monterrey.

Wednesday, March 6 (10 p.m. ET, FOX SOCCER)

Seattle Sounders FC travel to Mexico to square off against Tigres UANL, the current Liga MX Clausura leaders .

Thursday, March 7 (8 p.m. ET, FOX SOCCER)

The LA Galaxy host Costa Rican side Herediano, who hope to be the second Central American side to reach the semifinals.

MLS Week 2 National Broadcasts

Saturday, March 9

Toronto FC vs. Sporting KC, 1:30 p.m. ET (TSN/RDS2)

Chicago Fire vs. New England Revolution, 7:30 p.m. ET (NBCSN)

Sunday, March 10

San Jose Earthquakes vs. New York Red Bulls, 10:00 p.m. ET (ESPN2)

Quotables:

"For us as players, the biggest thing is comfort and how it feels - the performance aspect of it. From that aspect, it's the best jersey that I've ever put on. It's so lightweight. It feels great."

-Matt Besler, on the new Sporting KC jerseys this season

"I know that the football club has never won MLS, for example, so for me it's a target, as well. I want to be part of the history of the club. I want to be part of the team when we win the first MLS Cup for the football club."

-Dmimi Traore, commenting on how he is coming to the Sounders to help create history

"It's ironic. If you would have said we'd make the playoffs at the start of the year, we would have taken that. But the way we did it was anticlimactic.

-Bob Lenarduzzi, looking back on how the 2012 season ended for the Vancouver Whitecaps

"Even though I've only been here for a short period of time, me, my wife and my kids really love living in this country. This country allows us the will to do anything we want, to feel free on and off the field."

-Frederico Higuain, talking about this short period of time in MLS with Columbus Crew

"We're going to have winners on this team."

-Caleb Porter, on his approach in his first season

"I just thought it would help him not worry about what to eat or how to get anywhere."

-Martin Rennie, talking about his reasons for having Kekuta Manneh live with him until he gets settled in Vancouver

"The burger was excellent."

-Carlo Cudicini, commenting on In-N-Out and his new lifestyle in Los Angeles

"I wasn't in any sport of track and field, (but) I always joke with my friends that if I took track and field seriously, I'd probably beat Usain Bolt right now."

-Darren Mattocks, in an article that commented on how track and field helps players with speed

Sweet Tweets:

@keikamara - March 2

Here with Roger Watching the Boys in Philly and Wishing them best of luck. #SkcFamily #SKCNation . pic.twitter.com/vJff32xdqa

@D6MERIT - March 2

Are you ready!??? The calm before the storm. Proud to lead our @WhitecapsFC into #Season3 . Lets do this. #GoCaps http:// yfrog.com/h7x79wdj

@b_feilhaber22 - March 3

Unbelievable feeling to get my first win with @sportingkc . Keep striving to get stronger and better each game...more wins to come. #3points

@SebastienLeToux - March 3

Thanks to everyone who came to PPL Park on this cold day! You were fantastic. Not the result we wanted but we'll get better, soon. #Union